2015 William Reid Stakes Field – Peron in Barrier 1

March 25, 2015

2015 William Reid Stakes Field – Peron in Barrier 1

The Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) is the feature race of the Moonee Valley program this Friday night, running as Race 7 at 9:45pm.

Peron will enjoy the inside jump from barrier one in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes. Photo by Daniel Costello.

A final field of 14 sprinters was taken for the race on Wednesday morning, headlined by Rebel Dane and Famous Seamus.

The Gary Portelli-trained Rebel Dane is set to resume in the William Reid Stakes, having last run in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) on November 8. The five-year-old horse enjoyed two minor placings during the spring in both the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) and Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) but hasn’t won a race since Group 1 Sir Rupert Clark Stakes (1400m) back in September 2013.

Rebel Dane will jump from barrier seven with Craig Williams to ride.

Six-year-old gelding Famous Seamus resumed three weeks ago in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m), in which he ran fifth, after finishing sixth in the Darley Classic back in November. The Noel Mayfield-Smith-trained gelding won the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) on October 4 followed by a minor placing in the messy Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley 20 days later.

Also coming via the Manikato Stakes is runner-up Angelic Light, who was unlucky to miss out on the $1 million race by a short half-head but is commended for her efforts considering the mare was badly knocked and nearly fell in the race.

Angelic Light followed the runner-up finish with a trip to Perth during the Summer Racing Carnival for the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on November 22. Despite being the $2.80 favourite, the mare ran fifth in the race, failing to beat home four local horses. Like Rebel Dane, Angelic Light will resume her autumn preparation in the 2015 William Reid Stakes, set to jump from barrier four with Damien Oliver.

The Robbie Griffiths-trained mare will be joined by stablemate It Is Written in the race, both of which have plenty of experience at Moonee Valley. Six-year-old gelding It Is Written is known as a track specialist, placing in 13 of his 19 starts at the tricky circuit.

It Is Written is at the tail-end of a lengthy campaign that started back in September, the highlight of which was a fast-finishing second placing in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) on January 24. The gelding will jump from barrier eight with Matthew Allen to ride.

David Hayes & Tom Dabernig will also deliver a dual-pronged attack on the race after accepting with both Girl Guide and Galaxy Pegasus.

Group 3 Tressady Stakes (1400m) runner-up Girl Guide will have to overcome a wide start from barrier 13 while Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) winner at Moonee Valley last October will jump from barrier five with Dwayne Dunn.

Starting gates play a big part in winning the William Reid Stakes with 23 of the past 30 winners starting from barrier 1-6. The inside gate is by far the most successful, bringing home seven winners since 1983, the last of which was Foxwedge in 2012.

The Peter Moody-trained Peron will enjoy the inside jump from barrier one this year with Ben Melham as jockey. The five-year-old mare was last seen finishing runner-up in the Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) on March 7.

Check out the complete 2015 William Reid Stakes final field below. Betting markets for the race will open at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly so open your betting account to prepare.

New customers will receive up to $250 in a bonus match on their first bets.

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